Pregnancy, Labor & Delivery, and After

I think it's important in any given situation to write down what you have learned to reflect on and remember everything you went through to help someone in the future that is going through the same experience. I wanted to write this post to document what I learned and what I'm continuing to learn throughout my own pregnancy, labor & delivery, and after. I know I'm only a first time mom and I clearly don't know everything, this is just MY experience. Keeping in mind that everyone is different and has different experiences and situations, here is what I learned:

(I wrote this as if I were talking to someone that is pregnant.)

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PREGNANCY:

Everyone is going to give you their opinion. Take it with a grain of salt and make your own opinions. 

Do what you want to do. If you want to find out the gender and pick out your name before the baby is born, do it. If you want an epidural, get one. Don't let people make you feel bad for your choices. It's your baby, your body. 

Every pregnancy is different. Don't compare yourself to your friends. I learned that the hard way and worked myself up over some things. As long as your baby is healthy and you are healthy then don't compare your size, weight, kick counts, or how you are feeling. 

Start preparing early. Start buying diapers, wipes, car seat, stroller, etc. BUT don't forget to stock up on things like toilet paper, laundry detergent, shampoo and conditioner, etc. Seriously if you find good deals on household items, get them! It will help! 

Buy your crib, stroller, and car seat in gender neutral colors if you plan on having more kids. You don't want to have a girl and buy all pink and then have a boy next and feel obligated to buy new things so your little boy isn't in all pink.

Shop around. Look at the stores, look online, look everywhere! When Trev and I would find something we liked we would look everywhere and would end up finding a cheaper price somewhere. I highly recommend Amazon! We bought a lot from them.

Once the babies are big enough in your belly their kicks start to HURT! Especially when they get under your ribs. But you won't mind it, it's always reassuring to feel their kicks. Even if it may feel like you have the next karate kid in your stomach.

You will have to pee A LOT, but if you think its bad at first just wait until their little head is sitting right on top of your bladder. Emma seriously almost made me pee my pants a few times!

Don't be afraid to call the doctor or go to the labor and delivery if you are unsure about something. I had to call a couple of times and had to go into the doctor once. They made me feel so great and not stupid at all even when everything was fine. Better safe than sorry!

Document your pregnancy! I did mine on here and I'm sure everyone was annoyed by it, but I'm so glad I did it so I can look back on what I was experiencing.

During your last weeks of pregnancy people will constantly be asking if you've had the baby. Don't get frustrated, it means they care. 

Pregnancy can be hard but enjoy it. I was blessed to have a fairly easy pregnancy, but that doesn't mean it was all sunshine and butterflies. It's hard but it's such an amazing experience being pregnant, so try and enjoy it!

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LABOR & DELIVERY:

Pray, pray, pray! I felt like I was saying a continual prayer the whole 18 hours I was there, but it brought me so much comfort!

Ask lots of questions! You'll want to know everything that is going on. 

Take lots of pictures! I was in labor for 18 hours and had to stay 3 days, so I was there for quite some time so I was glad that we took lots of pictures to remember everything! Make sure to designate a couple people to take some snapshots!

Get the oxygen mask. Seriously. I feel like I'm advocating drugs here, but it's so great and makes you feel wonderful!

Swelling happens! I was super swollen during my pregnancy but after I had Emma I was SOOO swollen but only for a couple of days and then it just went away! My face was gigantic though.

If you get an epidural (which I highly recommend!) your legs will feel like a thousand pounds! I would touch mine and it seemed like I was touching someone else's legs! I couldn't move my legs at all except for my right foot. Weirdest feeling ever! Not everyone is like that though. I've heard of people being able to move their whole legs. 

Umm.. contractions hurt. Yeah. Sorry to scare you, but better to be prepared right? I was only dilated to a 5(ish) when I was in so much pain that I needed the epidural. You go mamas who do it without. Ouchie!

You're kind of exposed throughout the whole, ya know, having a baby and such. Get used to it. Sorry!

E had to stay in the NICU for a couple days. If your baby has to stay there don't worry if you cry. I cried a lot. I was constantly worried about her. The nurse told me it was normal to have those emotions. 

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AFTER:

A LOT of people will tell you how hard it is to have a baby. Not a lot of people tell you how amazing and worth it it all is. I guess you have to figure that one for yourself. 

You will miss being pregnant. It's weird to not have the huge belly! I was never depressed about it, but I definitely miss it!

Get your sleep while you can! I knew I wouldn't be sleeping much, but I had no idea. 

If you don't want strangers to touch your baby don't take them out in public. Yeah that's not going to happen, right? So just plan on strangers touching their little feet and hands. It stinks, I know. Just bring some hand sanitizing wipes or something!

I got the advice one time that it's okay if you aren't gushing over your baby when you first have them because they are pretty much strangers. (Well I guess we did meet in Heaven right? Ha!) I thought that was weird advice, but it was true! I mean I was totally in love with her but it was... Different. She did feel like a strangers baby. She is really mine? Don't worry that feeling goes away quickly, but don't feel bad. 

Breastfeeding can be awkward. In the physical sense of the word, not in the embarrassing sense. You eventually get the hang of it! Keep going! Also it hurts. Sorry again!

When your baby first smiles at you, you will die. Your heart will stop and you will die. Okay obviously not, but it is the best thing in the entire world! I almost cried! It still kills me. 

Laundry and dishes will pile up. Duh! For a couple weeks our house was horrible. Once you get the hang of your new life you will find time for all the tedious household chores. Oh the life of a housewife/stay at home mom! 

Remember your husband (or significant other). Remember they need your love too! Don't forget to tell them how much you appreciate them and tell them thank you for getting up in the middle of the night to change a dirty diaper. Don't let them feel forgotten!

Bringing your newborn home is quite scary! All of a sudden you are solely responsible for this tiny life and it can make you quite nervous. We stayed at my parents house for a week and it helped me get used to having a newborn before I was to be by myself. 

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I hope this post didn't scare anyone and I'm sure a lot of mamas are thinking "yeah this girl is crazy." But I felt the need to write it, if not for someone else's sake then for my own when I have more kids! I know I have a whole lot to learn still but this is what I've learned so far. The whole pregnancy and giving birth and enjoying your new baby is one of the best experiences of your life! It can be scary because the unknown is always scary, but if you have faith, everything will be okay! I love being a mom and I'm so grateful for my little Emma. This whole experience taught me so much and my heart is so full!